Southampton v Liverpool, Premier League: Preview, Probable Teams

Liverpool face Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday evening, with Brendan Rodgers's comments about qualifying for the Champions League still ringing in their ears. The Reds are seven points behind Chelsea, who occupy the final qualifying position for Europe's elite tournament next year. Worse still, for Liverpool fans, Rafael Benitez's side have a game in hand.

The Saints, meanwhile, will be hoping for better behaviour from their fans. The club has been fined for misbehaving supporters from last weekend's home match against Norwich City and manager Mauricio Pochettino has enough to worry about without thinking of crowd control as well.

Liverpool won the reverse fixture this season, with Daniel Agger scoring just before the break. The good news for Saints fans, though, is that the last time Liverpool played here, in 2005, they lost 2-0, with goals from David Prutton and Peter Crouch.

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 3pm GMT. Highlights of the game will be available on Match of the Day, on BBC One and BBC One HD, from 10.25pm GMT.

Overview

Southampton are 16th in the Premier League and only four points above Wigan, Reading and QPR in the relegation zone. They come into this match after a goalless home draw against the Canaries and in the middle of a poor run of form.

Pochettino, who replaced Nigel Adkins earlier this year, has lost three games in a row and apart from the surprising 3-1 win over Manchester City in early February, Southampton have not won a game since 12 January's 1-0 win at Villa Park. During that period, the Saints have lost five league games, including a crucial match against QPR. They were also forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at the DW Stadium.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are on a good run and will be hoping to reverse history on this visit to St Mary's; the Reds have lost all three of the most recent games here. Anfield fans were treated to a last-minute 3-2 win over Spurs last weekend and that result means Rodgers is still definitely in contention to qualify for the Champions League next season.

The Merseyside club come here with four wins in the last four games and only two defeats in the last eight in all competitions. They may have been eliminated from the Europa League but the 3-1 home win over Zenit St Petersburg in the second leg (they lost the tie on away goals) has infused the players with confidence.

Luis Suarez will once again be a key player. The Uruguayan is the Premier League's leading goalscorer with 22 strikes and given Southampton have conceded 17 goals in 14 home games, expect the South American to be on the scoresheet.

Team Form

Southampton

Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): D L L W D

Last Match: Norwich City 0 - 0 Southampton

Liverpool

Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W W W L

Last Match: Liverpool 3 - 2 Tottenham

Team News

Steven Davis (illness) and Danny Fox (thigh) will be available, meaning Pochettino has a full squad at his disposal. Ricky Lambert, the side's leading goalscorer with 12 goals, will be an important player.